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Archer expects Randle to fare "fine" as the Cowboys' replacement for DeMarco Murray, and concedes the weekly touch distribution "is subject to change based on the hot-hand theory." If Randle handled 15 carries per game and stayed healthy, he would finish at 240 for the season. McFadden is a better pass blocker than Randle, while Dunbar is arguably Dallas' best receiving back. Aug 2 - 2:37 PM

Cowboys OC Scott Linehan said the team's run-heavy strategy is "not going to change" despite the departure of DeMarco Murray.

Dallas successfully used a high-volume rushing attack to hide its deficiencies on defense and Tony Romo's ailing back last season. Romo is as healthy as he's been in several years, but the defense is still suspect and the Cowboys have one of the best lines in the league. The issue for Linehan is at running back, where he is saddled with unproven talent Joseph Randle and washed-up veteran Darren McFadden. If Randle can prove his flashes last season are sustainable, he could allow the Cowboys to continue their ground-and-pound success and turn into a fantasy monster in the process. If he cannot handle the workload, however, Dallas may have to find a new offensive identity on the fly. Aug 1 - 6:16 AM

Specifically, Jones "expressed confidence" that Randle can handle the load as Dallas' lead runner. The Cowboys are expected to mix in washed-up Darren McFadden and scatback Lance Dunbar, but Randle is in position to open the season as the starter. A fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft, Randle is a questionable talent, albeit one poised to run behind the NFL's premier offensive line. Randle's fantasy stock is sure to skyrocket to the point where he's an aggressive-bordering-on-reaching fantasy pick by the end of August. Jul 29 - 5:18 PM

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Cowboys OC Scott Linehan said the team's run-heavy strategy is "not going to change" despite the departure of DeMarco Murray.

Dallas successfully used a high-volume rushing attack to hide its deficiencies on defense and Tony Romo's ailing back last season. Romo is as healthy as he's been in several years, but the defense is still suspect and the Cowboys have one of the best lines in the league. The issue for Linehan is at running back, where he is saddled with unproven talent Joseph Randle and washed-up veteran Darren McFadden. If Randle can prove his flashes last season are sustainable, he could allow the Cowboys to continue their ground-and-pound success and turn into a fantasy monster in the process. If he cannot handle the workload, however, Dallas may have to find a new offensive identity on the fly.

Per RapSheet, the Cowboys expect "big things" from Randle, and love his "vision and explosiveness." After struggling mightily as a fifth-round rookie in 2013, Randle indeed showed improved burst as a sophomore, averaging nearly seven yards on 51 carries. Randle remains a high-risk fantasy investment based on his extremely-limited track record. His ADP is creeping toward round three.

Specifically, Jones "expressed confidence" that Randle can handle the load as Dallas' lead runner. The Cowboys are expected to mix in washed-up Darren McFadden and scatback Lance Dunbar, but Randle is in position to open the season as the starter. A fifth-round pick in the 2013 draft, Randle is a questionable talent, albeit one poised to run behind the NFL's premier offensive line. Randle's fantasy stock is sure to skyrocket to the point where he's an aggressive-bordering-on-reaching fantasy pick by the end of August.

Cowboys RB Joseph Randle has received deferred adjudication for his shoplifting arrest last October.

Randle was busted for stealing cologne and underwear from a department store. As long as he stays out of trouble for the next 180 days, the misdemeanor will be dismissed. Randle was fined and isn't expected to face a suspension.

ESPN Dallas projects the Cowboys to keep three running backs on the final roster.

Beat writers seem very confident about the current pecking order in Dallas' backfield. Joseph Randle enters camp as the clear starter, Darren McFadden will push him from a change-of-pace role and Lance Dunbar is the passing back. Ryan Williams and Lache Seastrunk are projected cuts. Randle's ADP is currently peaking at the top of Round 4.

Randle led "most" individual drills this spring and "regularly" worked with the first-team offense. Darren McFadden's ineffectiveness has been exposed and Ryan Williams' continued knee woes have him on the roster bubble. The question now is how much Randle's JAG ability can be boosted by Dallas' elite offensive line. His ADP in fantasy drafts is getting expensive as it soars into Round 4.

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Cowboys are expected to "spread the touches" between Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, and Lance Dunbar.

Owner Jerry Jones reiterated Thursday that the Cowboys are "very comfortable" with Randle, McFadden, and Dunbar as their top-three running backs. Jones also stated Dallas would likely open the season with only three tailbacks on its 53-man roster. "I think we’ve got three guys who have three unique skill sets," running backs coach Gary Brown added. "We have to make sure that we use those guys." In particular, expect Randle's fantasy Average Draft Position to continue to rise throughout the summer.

The Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota believes Joseph Randle will open the season as the Cowboys' starting running back.

"As long as he's available, meaning he's staying out of trouble," Machota said, "I believe the starting job is his." Machota is the second Cowboys' beat reporter to project Randle as the starter. Randle is a value at his current fifth-round ADP, but his draft position should skyrocket as his hold on the starting job tightens.

According to Pro Football Focus, 22 percent of Joseph Randle's carries last season went for 10 or more yards.

That was the highest percentage in football and double the league average. Of course, that number came in a small sample: Randle logged just 51 carries. A whopping 214 of Randle's 344 yards came after contact. The 23-year-old certainly has big play potential. With DeMarco Murray gone, Randle is the favorite to open the season as the Cowboys' lead back.

Garrett said Randle's "meat on the bone" comments were addressed by club officials last week, and Randle "needs to talk less and play more." Despite playing behind a running back in Murray whom he claims left yards on the field, Randle earned just 94 snaps worth of playing time last year while being arrested twice, once for marijuana possession and again for shoplifting underwear and cologne. During his jail time, Randle allegedly mocked a female jail employee and the arresting process altogether. He also incurred team-imposed fines.

Joseph Randle criticized outgoing Cowboys workhorse back DeMarco Murray on Wednesday, suggesting Murray left too many yards on the field in 2014.

Murray led the NFL in yards after contact and ranked second to only Marshawn Lynch in missed tackles forced, per PFF's grades. Underwear burglar Randle seems to believe he can do a better job. "I got to sit back and watch a lot," Randle said, "and I felt like there was a lot of meat left on the bone." Randle is competing with Darren McFadden and Ryan Williams to replace Murray.

ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer believes Joseph Randle "will be the starting running back when the season opens."

Archer already went on the record earlier this month with a "bold prediction" that Randle will rush for 1,200 yards. Randle's talent doesn't lend itself to those kinds of stats, but the opportunity is very much there. Darren McFadden projects for his trademark ineffectiveness, Ryan Williams hasn't been the same since his patellar tear and Lance Dunbar is an undersized passing back. Randle, the incumbent who averaged 6.72 YPC on his 51 carries last year, appears to be the favorite to head this committee as we head into the bulk of the offseason program. The Dallas Morning News also stated Tuesday they expect Randle to get "the initial opportunity with the first-team offense."

ESPN Dallas' Todd Archer predicts Joseph Randle will handle the "bulk" of the carries in the Cowboys' 2015 backfield.

Archer made the "bold prediction" that Randle will rush for 1,200 yards. Archer does acknowledge the Cowboys are committed to a "committee" approach, and "(doesn't) think you will see a guy come close to 300 carries." Archer envisions Randle as "better fit for the scheme" than Darren McFadden, and says Randle "should be the guy." Ryan Williams and Lance Dunbar are also in the mix.

Cowboys president Stephen Jones suggested the team will employ a running back by committee approach this season.

The Cowboys currently have four backs without much separation between them: Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams. Jones said the team "may end up being more efficient and more explosive by doing our running back by committee rather than putting so much pressure on one back." The Cowboys figure to run the ball with success thanks to their dominant offensive line, but figuring out who will get the carries is going to take some time. It's completely up in the air right now.

Depth Charts

Darren McFadden's hamstring injury is not to the leg that sidelined him in OTAs.

Unbelievable. (But not really.) Coach Jason Garrett is "hopeful" DMC will be back in a "week or so," but the Cowboys are learning all they need to know about McFadden's lack of durability. McFadden was already far from a roster lock, but his inability to stay on the field in even shorts and a t-shirt is likely doing major damage to his 53-man odds.